NAME

SYNOPSIS

DESCRIPTION

Copy SOURCE to DEST, or multiple SOURCE(s) to DIRECTORY.
Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.
-a, --archive
same as -dR--preserve=all--attributes-only
don't copy the file data, just the attributes
--backup[=CONTROL]
make a backup of each existing destination file
-b like --backup but does not accept an argument
--copy-contents
copy contents of special files when recursive
-d same as --no-dereference--preserve=links-f, --force
if an existing destination file cannot be opened, remove it and try again
(redundant if the -n option is used)
-i, --interactive
prompt before overwrite (overrides a previous -n option)
-H follow command-line symbolic links in SOURCE
-l, --link
hard link files instead of copying
-L, --dereference
always follow symbolic links in SOURCE
-n, --no-clobber
do not overwrite an existing file (overrides a previous -i option)
-P, --no-dereference
never follow symbolic links in SOURCE
-p same as --preserve=mode,ownership,timestamps
--preserve[=ATTR_LIST]
preserve the specified attributes (default: mode,ownership,timestamps), if possible
additional attributes: context, links, xattr, all
--no-preserve=ATTR_LIST
don't preserve the specified attributes
--parents
use full source file name under DIRECTORY
-R, -r, --recursive
copy directories recursively
--reflink[=WHEN]
control clone/CoW copies. See below
--remove-destination
remove each existing destination file before attempting to open it (contrast with
--force)
--sparse=WHEN
control creation of sparse files. See below
--strip-trailing-slashes
remove any trailing slashes from each SOURCE argument
-s, --symbolic-link
make symbolic links instead of copying
-S, --suffix=SUFFIX
override the usual backup suffix
-t, --target-directory=DIRECTORY
copy all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY
-T, --no-target-directory
treat DEST as a normal file
-u, --update
copy only when the SOURCE file is newer than the destination file or when the
destination file is missing
-v, --verbose
explain what is being done
-x, --one-file-system
stay on this file system
--help display this help and exit
--version
output version information and exit
By default, sparse SOURCE files are detected by a crude heuristic and the corresponding
DEST file is made sparse as well. That is the behavior selected by --sparse=auto.
Specify --sparse=always to create a sparse DEST file whenever the SOURCE file contains a
long enough sequence of zero bytes. Use --sparse=never to inhibit creation of sparse
files.
When --reflink[=always] is specified, perform a lightweight copy, where the data blocks
are copied only when modified. If this is not possible the copy fails, or if
--reflink=auto is specified, fall back to a standard copy.
The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX. The version
control method may be selected via the --backup option or through the VERSION_CONTROL
environment variable. Here are the values:
none, off
never make backups (even if --backup is given)
numbered, t
make numbered backups
existing, nil
numbered if numbered backups exist, simple otherwise
simple, never
always make simple backups
As a special case, cp makes a backup of SOURCE when the force and backup options are given
and SOURCE and DEST are the same name for an existing, regular file.

SEEALSO

The full documentation for cp is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If the info and cp
programs are properly installed at your site, the command
infocoreutils'cpinvocation'
should give you access to the complete manual.